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Privacy Policy

POPIA Compliant

Last updated: November 2024

1. Introduction

TutorMzansi (Pty) Ltd ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information when you use our Platform.

By using TutorMzansi, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information You Provide:

  • Account Information: Name, email address, phone number, date of birth, South African ID number
  • Profile Information: Photo, bio, location, education details, subjects taught (for tutors)
  • Payment Information: Bank account details (for tutors), payment card information (processed by our payment provider)
  • Verification Documents: ID documents, qualifications, professional certificates
  • Communications: Messages sent through the Platform, support inquiries

2.2 Information Collected Automatically:

  • Usage Data: Pages viewed, features used, time spent on Platform
  • Device Information: IP address, browser type, device type, operating system
  • Location Data: Approximate location based on IP address (not precise geolocation without consent)
  • Cookies and Tracking: Session cookies, preference cookies, analytics cookies

2.3 Information from Third Parties:

  • Background check providers (for tutor verification)
  • Educational institutions (for qualification verification)
  • Payment processors (transaction information)

3. How We Use Your Information

3.1 To Provide Services:

  • Create and maintain your account
  • Facilitate connections between Learners and Tutors
  • Process bookings and payments
  • Provide customer support
  • Send transactional communications (booking confirmations, payment receipts)

3.2 For Safety and Verification:

  • Verify tutor identities and qualifications
  • Conduct background checks
  • Investigate safety concerns and violations
  • Maintain platform security

3.3 To Improve Our Services:

  • Analyze usage patterns and trends
  • Develop new features and services
  • Conduct research and testing

3.4 For Marketing (with consent):

  • Send promotional emails about new features
  • Share educational content and tips
  • Conduct surveys (you can opt out anytime)

3.5 For Legal Compliance:

  • Comply with South African laws and regulations
  • Respond to legal requests and prevent fraud
  • Enforce our Terms and Conditions

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 With Other Users:

  • Tutor profiles are visible to all users (name, photo, bio, qualifications, ratings)
  • Contact information shared only after booking confirmation
  • Learner information shared with Tutors for booked sessions

4.2 With Service Providers:

  • Payment processors (secure payment handling)
  • Background check services (tutor verification)
  • Cloud hosting providers (data storage)
  • Email service providers (communications)
  • Analytics providers (platform improvement)

4.3 For Legal Reasons:

  • When required by South African law
  • To respond to legal requests (court orders, subpoenas)
  • To protect rights, property, and safety
  • In connection with legal proceedings

4.4 Business Transfers:

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

4.5 With Your Consent:

We may share information in other ways with your explicit consent.

5. Your Rights Under POPIA

As a South African data subject, you have the following rights:

  • Right to Access: Request copies of your personal information
  • Right to Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information
  • Right to Deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal obligations)
  • Right to Object: Object to processing of your information for marketing purposes
  • Right to Data Portability: Request your data in a portable format
  • Right to Restrict Processing: Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
  • Right to Complain: Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator

To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@tutormzansi.co.za. We will respond within 30 days.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information:

  • Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS) and at rest
  • Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
  • Access controls and authentication requirements
  • Employee training on data protection
  • Secure data centers with physical security measures
  • Regular backups and disaster recovery procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to provide our services and comply with legal obligations:

  • Active account data: Retained while account is active
  • Transaction records: Retained for 7 years (tax compliance)
  • Safety and verification records: Retained for 5 years after account closure
  • Marketing data: Retained until you opt out or withdraw consent

8. Children's Privacy

TutorMzansi is not intended for use by individuals under 18 without parental/guardian supervision. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18 without verified parental consent.

Parents/Guardians must create accounts for minor learners and maintain oversight of their use of the Platform.

9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies for:

  • Essential Cookies: Required for Platform functionality (cannot be disabled)
  • Preference Cookies: Remember your settings and preferences
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how users interact with the Platform
  • Marketing Cookies: Used for targeted advertising (with consent)

You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool.

10. Third-Party Links

Our Platform may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

11. International Data Transfers

Your information is primarily stored and processed in South Africa. If we transfer data outside South Africa, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with POPIA.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of material changes via email or Platform notification. Your continued use of TutorMzansi after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Information Officer

Our Information Officer, as required by POPIA, can be contacted at:

Name: Information Officer

Email: privacy@tutormzansi.co.za

Phone: 0800 123 456

Address: TutorMzansi (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, South Africa

14. Complaints to the Information Regulator

If you believe we have not handled your personal information appropriately, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator:

Information Regulator (South Africa)
Email: inforeg@justice.gov.za
Website: www.justice.gov.za/inforeg

15. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, contact us at:

Email: privacy@tutormzansi.co.za

Phone: 0800 123 456

Address: TutorMzansi (Pty) Ltd, Cape Town, South Africa